The very best from the world of smooth jazz and classic soul.

October 29, 2009

Despite the increasing difficulty that new artists face in finding an outlet, one player to really strike gold is saxophonist Hulon. His fresh perspective on old-school style has been recognized by none other than Jeff Kashiwa who, between his responsibilities to super-group The Sax Pack and the demands of a successful solo career, has now produced Hulon’s debut CD.

‘First Impressions’, which is described as a mixture of hot grooves and romantic charm, is scheduled for release in early 2010. When asked about this exciting new project Kashiwa commented that "It is every producer's dream to come across an artist who has three qualities: drive to develop a unique voice, enthusiasm for creating music and a passion to perform; Hulon posses all three”.

The music of ‘First Impressions’ reflects many moods. From the retro soul of War's ‘Cisco Kid’ to the romantic ‘Follow Me’ Hulon shows he has the stuff to captivate a whole new audience. Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘First Impressions’.

October 27, 2009

Not surprising, the untimely death of the much loved Wayman Tisdale set off shock waves that were felt throughout the world of contemporary jazz. In this respect no one could have been more affected than saxophonist Tom Braxton who, as an integral member of Tisdale’s touring band, had been with him right from the start. That said, life has a way of creating opportunities and for Braxton the opportunity to pay homage to his long time friend and mentor has come in the form of his latest solo recording, the aptly titled ‘Endless Highway’. Released on the San Diego-based Pacific Coast Jazz label it is his second CD with Pacific Coast Jazz and follows the 2007 ‘Imagine This’ that at the time I described as has “having it all going on”. With an outstanding array of instrumentalists and vocalists in support, Braxton uses the ten superb tracks of ‘Endless Highway’ to take the listener on a groove-oriented excursion that, consistent with the best of the genre’s current offerings, shimmers with a delightful urban sophistication.

October 26, 2009

Guitarist Anthony James Baker has worked with many internationally acclaimed artists and shared billing with headline performers such as Tower of Power, Michael McDonald, Norman Brown and the Neville Brothers. After many years in the USA he has now returned to his native England to form a new band and write new material. The culmination of all this is his excellent five track EP titled ‘Looking Ahead’ which not only includes some of the best contemporary jazz you will hear this year but also features sublime inputs from bass player Mel Brown, production genius Darren Rahn and the multi talented Bobby Wells.

October 25, 2009

Smooth Jazz Therapy has long been a fan of keyboard maestro Alan Hewitt whose vibey sound captures to perfection the true essence of what great smooth jazz should be all about. His 2006 album ‘Metropolis’ remains an item of sumptuous buried treasure and now he is set to make a spectacular return with a brand new project, ‘Retroactive’. Due for release in early 2010 it marks Hewitt’s arrival at the consistently focussed nuGroove label and will feature gusts appearances from the likes of Greg Adams, Paul Jackson, Jr., Steve Madaio and Steve Oliver.

October 21, 2009

A charismatic entertainer who has sold over one million albums worldwide, guitarist Jesse Cook has performed to sold-out crowds all over the map. It has led him to enjoy a truly global fan base and, despite his music being rooted in fiery flamenco rhythms, a unique following that embraces both new age music and contemporary jazz. Two of his recent CD’s, ‘Frontiers’ and ‘Nomad’ were heavily influenced by journeys that Cook made to Egypt and Spain. Both climbed to the upper echelons of the Billboard chart while the single from ‘Frontiers’, ‘Café Mocha’, figured largely on the chart of most played on smooth jazz radio. His latest release ‘The Rumba Foundation’ also stems from one of Cook’s groundbreaking expeditions, this time to Colombia and his leaving home in Toronto to record there proved to be the beginning of a cultural exchange far more challenging than he ever could have expected. It forced Cook to stretch in unimagined ways and resulted in the creation of what he believes is his finest recording to date.

October 19, 2009

October 11, 2009. Less than 24 hours after playing back to back shows at San Diego’s Anthology, Mindi Abair was in Temecula, CA, at Thornton Winery, to perform the national anthem and open for the headlining Jesse Cook. Minus her regular drummer and keyboard player, but very much with the twin talents of Jay Gore on guitar and Andre Berry on bass, Mindi used her well rehearsed ‘unplugged’ format to take a more considered approach to some of her more significant tunes. Into the bargain she delighted a sun soaked crowd already eminently familiar with her work.

October 17, 2009

Jim Peterik has written some of the biggest pop anthems of the last forty years and led iconic bands such as The Ides Of March and Survivor. In the world of rock his career has been one of consummate achievement so it is perhaps doubly surprising that for his latest project Peterik has turned his attention to contemporary jazz. However, this Chicago native, who is famed for composing ‘Eye of the Tiger’ from the 1982 Stallone movie Rocky III, is not your usual smooth jazz performer and his latest CD, ‘Lifeforce’, is far from being a typical smooth jazz album. With a mega talented band making a huge contribution and the vocal talents of newcomer Lisa McClowry lighting up everything she touches this ‘rock meets contemporary jazz’ collection is as enticing as it is different and looks all set to shake the cobwebs from a genre often accused of being too predictable.

October 15, 2009

October 11, 2009. With all the Latin pizzazz you could ever want, Juno award winning guitarist Jesse Cook blew into a fittingly sun soaked Temecula on the latest leg of an ever expanding tour. There to promote his brand new CD, ‘The Rumba Foundation’ (which was released on September 29) this impressive and very different collection is already looming large on both the iTunes and Amazon charts while the first single to be lifted for airplay, the vibrant ‘Bogotá By Bus’, is receiving generous radio exposure. It proved to be the perfect vehicle for this the final event in the Thornton Winery 2009 Champagne Jazz Series and a packed crowd, already somewhat loosened by fine wine and Mindi Abair’s opener, were driven almost to distraction by Cook’s infectious rhythms.

October 13, 2009

October 10, 2009. Despite the fact that Mindi Abair took to the stage a fashionable thirty minutes late, her belated arrival did little to diminish the enthusiasm of a packed Saturday night Anthology crowd. In fact her special brand of pop-influenced sax driven jazz found an instant fit with a San Diego audience not typically known for quiet restraint and, as she quickly slipped into her well rehearsed stride, put on the sort of quality performance that those familiar with her live work would instantly recognize.

October 11, 2009

Through a career spanning three decades saxophonist Snake Davis has played with some of the best pop, R & B and jazz performers of his era. He is a perpetual ‘go to guy’ for recordings by both Acoustic Alchemy and Paul Hardcastle whilst as a solo performer he already has eight collections of funk and soul inspired jazz to his name. Now he is back with his latest release, ‘Snake Davis Band - ‘Live’, which will hit the streets on October 15. Partly a live showcase, and partly a ‘best of’ package, ‘Snake Davis Band – Live’ is a welcome addition to the discography of this outstanding player.

October 09, 2009

As a sometime contributor to the contemporary jazz website www.smoothjazznow.com I am more than aware of the passion for the music that its President John Beaudin invariably displays. A significant on-air personality in his own right, and the driving force behind the prestigious Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, Beaudin is now moving into exciting new territory with the September 1 launch of www smoothjazznow.com as an internet radio station. Not only that, in a coup that might be considered by some as breathtaking, Beaudin has installed smooth jazz guitarist Ken Navarro as the afternoon drive time host and captured the services of the incomparable Nick Colionne to occupy the evening slot from 6 until 10 EST.

October 07, 2009

The mega funky East Bay Soul is the brainchild of Grammy and Emmy nominated trumpeter Greg Adams and although initially assembled with live dates in mind the band has just released its eponymously titled debut CD. This hugely talented line-up has its roots firmly grounded in the uniquely soul based genre of San Francisco’s East Bay area and as a consequence delivers tight horn filled rhythms that are both entirely timeless and totally to die for. Of course Adams is a founding member of the wonderful Tower of Power and here, as East Bay Soul, he is joined by another ex Tower of Power stalwart, trumpeter Lee Thornburg. The East Bay Soul roster is completed by Joey Navarro on keyboards, Evan Stone on drums, Brian Allen on bass, James Wirrick on guitar, Johnny Sandoval on percussion plus Johnnie Bamont, Michael Paulo and Greg Vail on alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. Suffice to say that the combination is nothing short of magical.

October 06, 2009

WVMV in Detroit that launched in 1995 on the 98.7 frequency has reportedly switched formats away from smooth jazz. Because Dom Theodore, vice president in charge of contemporary hits radio for CBS, was in Detroit on Monday this was taken by some as a strong signal that, when it all shakes out, the new sound on 98.7 would be that of ‘Amp Radio’ which is a format that CBS Radio has instituted at some of its stations across the country.

Although smooth jazz will still be available in Detroit, via the web at www.smoothjazzdetroit.com, this latest news represents a major loss to the many smooth jazz fans in the Detroit area that had long made WVMV a part of their listening lives. Not only that it is a further marginalization of a radio format that less than fifteen years ago appeared set to sweep the nation.

Of course one of WVMV’s major on-air personalities has been morning show host and smooth jazz flautist extraordinaire Alexander Zonjic. Consequently it was perhaps fitting that one of the last contemporary jazz features to be aired on the station was a snippet of an interview that Zonjic conducted with Kenny G where G was heard to reminisce about playing at P'Jazz in the Hotel Pontchartrain in Detroit. Then his seminal track ‘Songbird’ was played. Maybe ‘The Way We Were’ would have been more appropriate.

The interplay generated between magical vocal couplings such as those of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald or even Teena Marie and Rick James has delivered some of the greatest soul music of the past forty plus years. Now, with their exciting new release ‘The Gift Of Love’, Melba Moore and Phil Perry are rekindling the fire of these incredible duets. Moore, a Tony Award-winning actress and vocalist, has topped the R&B Charts and starred on Broadway, TV and film while Perry, as well as having worked with just about everyone who is anyone, has virtually written the book on how great smooth soul should sound.

October 05, 2009

Smooth Jazz Therapy has long been impressed with the excellent San Diego based Pacific Coast Jazz. By providing a coherent voice to musicians of many jazz persuasions it is providing a wonderful shop window for some of the best talent around. Not only that, with PCJ recording artists Tom Braxton and Art Sherrod Jr both about to launch major releases, the star of this rapidly emerging boutique label is clearly in the ascendancy. Now, in connection with its none jazz outlet, the cutely titled That Other Label, no less that five of its artists are being strongly tipped for nominations for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.